Last week I was asked if I would like to visit the new Smiggle stationery store in York (Coney Street) for a nose around and to report back on what I thought. Have any of you ever watched Mary Poppins? You know that song, “A few of my favourite things”? That sums up Smiggle for me. There’s stationery, cool and geeky gifts; there’s a furry diary for goodness sake. Needless to say, I was happy to accept the task.
The store itself is pretty easy to find, just a short walk from the Park & Ride stop near the museum gardens.
Lee, the unfortunate member of staff on duty the day I landed was very accommodating, not rolling his eyes once as I ran around the store screeching “Look at this” and “Oooh look at that” to the friend who had come along with me. Indeed he was really helpful, making great suggestions for Christmas gifts and finding me something I’d been looking for.
One thing that I have to address is the fact that Smiggle is not a store for girls, or at least not “just” for girls. There is a huge range suitable for lovers of pink, green, purple, blue and of course bright yellow. There’s also no maximum age limit on Smiggle items either which means it is perfectly acceptable to fill your own office with cola smelling erasers, chocolate scented pencils and pop art dogs in sunglasses.
As a thank you for taking the time to go and visit the store I was given a £25 gift voucher to use on anything there I fancied (although to be fair I’d have gone purely for the pleasure of it). Taking advantage of the 5 for £5 range I bought some bits for the boys, a colour-changing fiber optic thingy for Taylor and a light up book-looking secret safe for Kieran. Needless to say, I’m one cool Mum in their eyes right now.
I also spotted while I was there the Smiggle advent calendar. At £28 you might think that it’s a little steep however when you look at what’s inside (staff hide a picture of “typical” contents behind the till so no children can see in advance what they’ll get) you’d agree that actually, it’s brilliant value. I’ve not bought one yet but only because I’m pointing the husband in that general direction so he can treat me!
All in all the visit was a rip-roaring success and I can see now why Smiggle has such a big following. The staff seem great, there is a huge range of items for all ages, in a number of designs, some great bundles for presents and it’s DIFFERENT! It’s rare to find items that are quirky and bit special but Smiggle has pulled this off brilliantly.
Have a look on the website (sign up to the newsletter to get money off in store or online) and get yourself along to the York store (or any store if York isn’t local to you). I’ll be visiting again before Christmas, for the boys and for me!
There’s more info on the new store here, which talks about not just the opening of the store but who and what Smiggle are all about. Don’t leave it too long before you visit!
